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Columbia University Clears Hurdle For Huge West Harlem Expansion

A state board voted Thursday to approve Columbia University's $6 billion expansion into West Harlem, paving the way for the property to be seized.

The Empire State Development Corp. released a study finding that the Manhattanville neighborhood where Columbia wants to expand is blighted, which could allow the state to use its controversial eminent-domain power to take property from two business owners who have refused to sell.

"What Columbia is trying to do is wrong, dead wrong," said Nick Sprayregen, owner of a Manhattanville storage company. "I'm angry that I have to wake up each day fighting on behalf of my family to keep what is lawfully ours." He vowed to challenge eminent domain in court.

While many elected officials praised the project, state Sen. Bill Perkins (D-Harlem) sparred with board members over the study. "This was a cooked process," he said.

The university has committed $21 million in community services as it pushes to get its $7 billion expansion plan passed.

The board will take a final vote on the plan after public hearings in the fall.